SBA Establishes Business Recovery Centers in Tennessee to Support Disaster-Affected Communities

Introduction

In response to the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that impacted Davidson and McNairy Counties from April 2-24, 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened Business Recovery Centers (BRCs). These centers aim to assist small businesses, private nonprofits, and residents in their recovery efforts, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting resilient infrastructure, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable communities.

Business Recovery Centers Locations and Services

1. Davidson County
   SBA District Office, Nashville
   2 International Plaza, Nashville, TN 37217
   Hours: Monday – Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
   Closed on Friday, July 4th for Independence Day
2. McNairy County
   The Latta Theatre, 205 W Court Ave., Selmer, TN 38375
   Hours: Monday – Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
   Closed on Friday, July 4th for Independence Day

SBA customer service representatives are available at these centers to provide guidance on the disaster loan application process, answer questions, and assist with application completion. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments can be scheduled at appointment.sba.gov.

Disaster Loan Programs and Eligibility

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program supports small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations experiencing financial losses due to the disaster. This initiative supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by providing working capital to maintain business operations.

• Loan Uses: Working capital for fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other disaster-related expenses.
• Business Physical Disaster Loans: Up to $2 million for repair or replacement of damaged real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other assets.
• Homeowners and Renters: Loans up to $100,000 for personal property replacement or repair; up to $500,000 for primary residence repair or replacement.
• Mitigation Funding: Loan increases up to 20% for disaster mitigation improvements, such as strengthening structures and installing safe rooms, supporting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Loan Terms and Application Process

• Interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for private nonprofits, and 2.75% for homeowners and renters.
• Loan terms up to 30 years with deferred payments for 12 months from the first disbursement.
• Loan amounts and terms are tailored based on the applicant’s financial condition.
• Applicants are encouraged to apply for SBA loans concurrently with FEMA grants to maximize recovery resources.

Application Deadlines and Contact Information

• Physical property damage loan applications must be submitted by August 19, 2025.
• Economic injury disaster loan applications must be submitted by March 19, 2026.
• Applications can be submitted online at sba.gov/disaster.
• For assistance, applicants may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
• Telecommunications relay services are available by dialing 7-1-1 for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The SBA’s disaster recovery efforts contribute significantly to several SDGs:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Providing financial assistance to disaster-affected individuals and businesses to prevent economic hardship.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Supporting small businesses and nonprofits to sustain employment and economic activity.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Facilitating the rebuilding of resilient infrastructure and business assets.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Encouraging mitigation measures to enhance community resilience against future disasters.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Collaborating with FEMA and other agencies to provide comprehensive disaster recovery support.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The SBA is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners by providing resources and support to start, grow, expand, or recover their businesses. Through its extensive network of field offices and partnerships, the SBA plays a critical role in fostering sustainable economic development and resilience in communities nationwide. For more information, visit www.sba.gov.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article discusses disaster loans and recovery assistance aimed at small businesses, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters affected by severe weather, which helps reduce economic vulnerability and poverty caused by disasters.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Support for small businesses and private nonprofits through disaster loans promotes economic recovery, job retention, and sustainable economic growth.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Loans for repairing or replacing damaged real estate, machinery, and equipment contribute to resilient infrastructure and industrial recovery.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Mitigation loans for strengthening structures and installing storm shelters help build resilient communities against future disasters.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Encouragement of mitigation improvements to protect against high wind damage aligns with climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.
   • Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products (relevant to small businesses and nonprofits).
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters.
   • Target 11.b: Increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Number of disaster loans approved and disbursed
   • The article implies tracking the number and amount of SBA disaster loans given to small businesses, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters as a measure of recovery support.
2. Loan amounts for physical damage repair and mitigation
   • Indicators could include total funds allocated for repairing or replacing damaged assets and for mitigation improvements such as strengthening structures and installing storm shelters.
3. Economic recovery indicators
   • Measures such as the number of businesses able to resume operations, jobs retained, and financial stability restored through loans.
4. Community resilience indicators
   • Extent of mitigation improvements implemented (e.g., storm shelters, wind-rated doors) as a proxy for increased resilience to future disasters.
5. Application and assistance accessibility
   • Number of applicants assisted in-person or online, reflecting accessibility and outreach effectiveness.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: wbbjtv.com